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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Del Casale

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Psychiatry, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Stefano Ferracuti

    (Department of Human Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Risk Management, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessio Mosca

    (Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy)

  • Leda Marina Pomes

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Federica Fiaschè

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Bonanni

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Marina Borro

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Giovanna Gentile

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Paolo Martelletti

    (Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Headache Centre Unit, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Maurizio Simmaco

    (Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic and/or recurrent condition with somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms following a contact with chemical agents whose concentrations do not correlate with toxicity in the general population. Its prevalence is not well defined; it mainly affects women between 40 and 50 years, without variations in ethnicity, education and economic status. We aimed to assess the core symptoms of this illness in a sample of Italian patients. Two physicians investigated different symptoms with a checklist compilation in 129 patients with MCS (117 women). We conducted a categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) with Varimax rotation on the checklist dataset. A typical triad was documented: hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea were the most common symptoms. Patients also frequently showed cough and headache. The CATPCA showed seven main factors: 1, neurocognitive symptoms; 2, physical (objective) symptoms; 3, gastrointestinal symptoms; 4, dermatological symptoms; 5, anxiety-depressive symptoms; 6, respiratory symptoms; 7, hyperosmia and asthenia. Patients showed higher mean prevalence of factors 7 (89.9%), 6 (71.7%), and 1 (62.13%). In conclusion, MCS patients frequently manifest hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea, which are often concomitant with other respiratory and neurocognitive symptoms. Considering the clinical association that is often made with anxiety, more studies are necessary on the psychosomatic aspects of this syndrome. Further analytical epidemiological studies are needed to support the formulation of aetiological hypotheses of MCS.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Del Casale & Stefano Ferracuti & Alessio Mosca & Leda Marina Pomes & Federica Fiaschè & Luca Bonanni & Marina Borro & Giovanna Gentile & Paolo Martelletti & Maurizio Simmaco, 2020. "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6551-:d:410860
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sandra Fares-Medina & Isabel Díaz-Caro & Rebeca García-Montes & Inmaculada Corral-Liria & Soledad García-Gómez-Heras, 2022. "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: First Symptoms and Evolution of the Clinical Picture: Case-Control Study/Epidemiological Case-Control Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Tamami Suzuki & Yoshiko Bai & Yuko Ohno, 2024. "Prevalence and Factors Related to High Risk of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity among Japanese High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-17, July.

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